State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, representing the Third Suffolk
District which includes the North End and Waterfront, spoke at the
February North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) meeting
regarding the bills he has filed for the new legislative calendar.

(2:10) Rep. Michlewitz opened with a review of the short-term rental legislation that was signed by Governor Baker
on December 28. It goes into effect on July 1 for taxes and all
regulations including insurance; September 30 for registration
requirement. For a one night stay, there will be a 5.7% state tax and up
to 6% municipal tax (6.5% in Boston). This will raise an estimated $50
million in revenue, split 50/50 between the Commonwealth and the
municipalities.

Massachusetts is the first state in the country to tie short-term
rental revenue to affordable housing through regulations placed on
additional units. On these second, third, fourth, etc. units, the
municipality has the option to raise an additional 3% of tax revenue. A
portion of that funding is earmarked for affordable housing in that
local municipality.

Rep. Michlewitz then highlighted new bills specifically related to the neighborhood:

(6:44) Re-Precincting. Boston has been exempt from
re-precincting since 1921. Development over the last century has
drastically changed the populations in certain precincts, making the
numbers uneven. The North End has four precincts. Precinct 3-1 is the
largest at nearly the size of the other three combined. This creates
longer lines and voter inequity that could be solved through
re-precincting.

(9:50)Traffic Violations. A new
bill looks to increase traffic fines, particularly around blocking the
box. Rep. Michlewitz is looking to raise the current fine of $150 up to
$500, and add a few insurance points to the driver’s record.

(10:59) Commercial Wharf. Over the years, previous Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administration made modifications
that allowed residential units to be built on the first floor of
Commercial Wharf, which is in violation of the Chapter 91 license. This
license requires properties with direct access to the water to have
commercial or public use on the first floor. Now, there are a handful of
residential units that the DEP wants reverted back to commercial. Rep.
Michlewitz is working to protect these residents and make these units
exempt from Chapter 91.

(13:10) Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing. Companies such as Turo and Getaround are like AirBnB for cars in that people can rent your car for a certain period of time. Rep. Michlewitz discussed creating regulations around safety and consumer protection, as well as equity with car rental companies. Fees charged for peer-to-peer car sharing could raise money for public transit.